The Beatitudes Simplified

Blessed are the poor ... those who mourn ... the meek ... those who hunger and thirst ... the merciful ... the pure in heart ... the peacemakers ... those who are persecuted ... Matthew 5:3-10

Jesus opens his teaching on the Sermon on the Mount with these promises, called the Beatitudes. These eight attitudes bring about God's blessing. It is the centerpiece of the sermon and God's premiere desire for every believer. You can be sure, that God, by His Holy Spirit, is relentlessly working right now to bring about these flowers to bloom in your heart and life.

A simplified version of the Beatitudes may help to assimilate into your understanding and apply in your life:

Blessed are the poor ... those who acknowledge their spiritual poverty before a holy God. Blessed are those who mourn ... those who grieve over their sinful inclinations and come in true repentance.
Blessed are the meek ... those who choose the posture of humility.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst ... those who persist in seeking Gods righteous standard on every level.
Blessed are the merciful ... those who are gracious to the undeserving, choosing not to cast judgment.
Blessed are the pure ... those who are making themselves ready as a spotless bride, untainted, with proper motives and thoughts.
Blessed are the peacemakers ... those who proactively reconcile relationships.
Blessed are those who are persecuted ... who courageously endure adversity because of unshakable convictions.

Father, I thank you for disclosing Your plans and purposes for us- what You desire to bring to fruition in our heart and life. I long to adopt my worldview around these verses. I will give an account before You concerning these. Let my life reflect Your Spirits work to bring these characteristics about. Amen.

Reprinted by permission of the author.

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